This subculture always was surrounded by stereotypes and biased media attention, because of the music they listen, clothes they wear and interests they have. In Georgia, as in all Post-Soviet countries, attitudes toward Gothic cultures are not benevolent. As Sandro, goth from Tbilisi says, during 9 years of his presence in this subculture almost nothing has been changed.

"People always mess us with satanists or emos. which is really annoying and a bit funny for me", - says Sandro. - "We don't have any connections with emos or, moreover, with satanists. Gothic never limits people, any religious person can be a Goth. People just framing us by black clothes and make up..."

"Look at him", - it's what I usually hear. Also some insults and tactless commentaries.

However, Teona met less aggression in her life than Sandro. As she says, people are more informed now, than it was years ago. But still, it's not a time to talk about positive attitudes toward this subculture.

"I often see people's very surprised faces".

Both Teona and Sandro are lucky to have their families by their side and feel their support. "My family respects my decision. Fortunately my family members are artists, and they saw Gothic subculture as an art. From the beginning they thought that it was just "teenage rebel", but during these years with my help my parents managed to understand Gothic subculture and realized that Gothic is a part of art.

"I became interested in Gothic subculture I was 20 years old and since then my family supports it, my parent like Gothic as well".

Music plays a significant part in Gothic subculture. Gothic rock was developed as sub-genre of post-punk in early 1970s. Especially gothic rock was influenced by English punk scene. Later Gothic rock developed as separate genre due to it's more dark lyrics and sound. This genre lyric's themes formed its shapes under influence of Gothic literature, romanticism, mysticism, existentialism and symbolism. The Cure, Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees are bands who were trailblazers of the genre. Some modern Gothic bands are - Christian Death, Field of the Nephilim, Sisters of Mercy, London after Midnight etc. Later, some subgenres and close to Gothic music genres were developed such as - deathrock, darkwave, EBM, Gothic metal, neofolk.

In Georgia, Gothic culture is in small underground where everybody knows each other. They are close to other subcultures - metalheads, punks etc. However, Sandro and Teona who are active musicians and form duet, decided to took gothic music to the light - and participate in "Nichieri" show. As Sandro explained, it was one of the bravest step in their music career. "We wanted to present ourselves before Georgian audience and show our music, and say the new word which will be remembered. It was successful and got 4 "yes" from the jury. Enormous amount of people discovered us".

Sandro project, "Killer Manson" , where Teona is violin player, quite well-known in Georgian underground. Mostly they play covers of Marylin Manson, but as Sandro says, at their next concert they will also play their own songs.

Teona begun to play violin since age of 7. "I adore classical music and use classical elements in my playing. Composer Adrian von Zegler and sympho metal band Nightwish influenced the most on me".

"Musically Marylin Manson influenced on me the most. He radically changed me and showed me the world under completely different angle , - says Sandro.

source: youtube channel of Killer Manson

There's not that much Gothic bands in Georgia. Besides Killer Manson, there are some projects like - Lilla Land and some other bands who are not obviously Gothic, more Post-Punk as Telescope for instance or Mtvaris Dabneleba, which described as "Old-school Goth". From 2014, Goths in Georgia celebrate World Goth Day, May 21st, which was Sandro's initiative. Usually, when gigs happen once in a while, they are conducted along with other bands of different genres - metal for instance. Gigs are usually happen in PAM club, Creator bar and Backstage 76.

Telescope

Mtvaris Dabneleba

Mtvaris Dabneleba

Lilla Land

Gothic events are more often in Europe. Gothic subculture there is free and less oppressed. In Germany Gothic subculture is out of underground and is still actively developing. In Eastern Europe, including Georgia, Goths are not numerous. In Britain and USA their communities are quite closed.

However, a lot of Gothic music festivals are happen in Europe - Wave Gotik Treffen and M'Era Luna in Germany, Whitby Gothic Weekend - in England, Deti Nochi - in Ukraine, Castle Party - in Poland, Convergence - in Usa and Lumous in Finland.

One of the most important parts of Gothic subculture - visuals. Mostly this is what usually shocks society and causes aggressive attitudes toward Goths. Black clothes, high boots, make up, a lot different accessories, silver mostly - in inside goth subculture itself there are a lot of movements, these are the common.

"For me visuals are important" , - says Sandro. - "Being Goth means that your visual side and world view coincide". But for Teona, it's not that much important, but still, she likes black color very much.

Ankh - Egyptian symbol of eternal life.

Gothic subculture is a deep and complex subculture with its particular world view and lifestyle. For most of the Goths it rests the passion and important part of life till the end.